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State farmers to take up avocado crop to cash in on rising demand in India

Hyderabad:South American tropical fruit Avocado, which is seeing soaring demand from health conscious consumers, is being taken up for cultivation in the state by enterprising farmers. Known commonly as butter fruit, it is a rich source of healthy fats, disease-fighting and anti-aging antioxidants, and nearly 20 vitamins and minerals.

The fruit has a creamy texture and rich flavour. While it is currently largely imported to meet the growing demand, some enterprising individuals are trying to grow it locally. Telangana State Horticultural University is also planning to take up research on the crop at their facility in Sangareddy shortly. The horticulture department had set a modest target of 20 hectares for promoting the avocado crop for 2024-25.

Speaking to this newspaper, Dr Marri Raja Sekhar, dean of horticulture, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University, said: “Enthusiastic farmers took up cultivation of the avocado crop even before the horticulture department started its research. One can grow more avocado trees per acre of land than mangoes and the retail price is between Rs 400 to Rs 500 per kg. Containing a lot of minerals, vitamins and is rich with fats which are good for health. As it does not have sugars, it's good for diabetics also. There are three varieties of the fruit. Of which, one is suited for our climate.”

The oil from the fruit, which costs Rs 1,500 per litre, is said to have the qualities akin to olive oil and is good for skin, heart, and vitamin E. It is hence used in cosmetics and for cooking. Data released by the American Heart Association recently said consuming them reduces the chances of heart attack by 30 per cent.

Dr G. Srinivas, MD, internal medicine, who runs farmers producer organisation Deccan Exotics and grows the fruit in around 40 acres in Sangareddy, says, “The fruit has seen good demand internationally. We have been holding training programmes for farmers for the past six years. We hold field trials, have a nursery and market the fruit. We are building an ecosystem around it. There is a huge demand worldwide for it. Folate in the fruit supports the baby's brain and spine development and eases digestion during pregnancy.”

The Indian farmers have a good chance of marketing the fruit for the global market as crops in India would come in the months of September, October and November when its availability elsewhere is less, he said, adding the fruit came to India in 1902 but the native varieties are outdated.

Imran Khan, who runs Ratan Fruit Shop in Jambagh, said 75 per cent of the fruit that he sells at his store came from countries like Tanzania and South Africa. The local variety comes from Kerala. While the imported variety is more sought-after and sells between Rs 500 to Rs 700 per kg, the native produce costs Rs 250 to Rs 300. He sells anywhere between 50 kg to 100 kg per week.

Y. Sowmya, the horticulture officer of Maheshwaram, said that the department gives a subsidy of `18,000 per hectare in the first year and `6,000 per hectare in the subsequent years as subsidy to farmers. “The amount is directly credited into the farmers account,” she said, adding farmers are coming forward to raise the crop.

Jaipal Ramavath, a farmer from Maheshwaram mandal, said he spent Rs 70,000 per acre to set up his avocado farm over an area of 1.3 acres. “Our fruit is selling for Rs 250 to Rs 300 and the profit is good. One can earn Rs 1,60,000 to Rs 2,00,000 per acre,” he said.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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